Watch our new HD video production to get ideas of easy meals you can create while living in your vehicle. I’ve been sleeping in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL, or vandwelling for eight months straight now. Being out there, and doing IT, teaches you what it takes to plan for a long road trip. However, maybe this blog post will inspire you to do more car camping. It’s been an amazing experience, and my pleasure to share with you. I’m so glad I’ve been able to see more of the Pacific Northwest while I’m young, wild, and free. Now I just need to find more stickers to paste on my VW Bus.

Many food suggestions shown in the YouTube video are also ideal for backpacking, because they are ready instantly with hot water. Other dishes, or side meals are fully prepared for consumption as is, such as the individually wrapped granola bars. I also eat plenty of fresh organic fruit, and drink spring or distilled water. No tap.

Tip: Use different sizes of Ziploc bags to store food items in, and label each kit with a permanent pen. You can compact the plastic storage sacks, and take most of the air out of them, so they are almost vacuum sealed, and take up minimal space. Then put the locked baggies in larger bins, or the pockets of your Everyday Carry backpack for safekeeping.

1986 VW Vanagon getting it done

Please SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel HERE! I will follow back if you make similar videos. Like, comment, and share this blog post with friends. Let us know if you are vandweller, and what your setup looks like. Visit the Survival Bros HD Videos page above for all of the latest adventures.

A friend was generous enough to give me a bag full of fresh Rosemary. Her plant produced incredible amounts, more than she needed. My stash has been drying in the dark pantry, on the water heater, ready to be utilized. The day came, and man did it improve the meal.

After plucking it from the stem, Survival Bros tossed several teaspoons in to boil with the potatoes. It gave them a sweet taste, that was way better than ordinary spuds.

Then we cooked chicken with a few pinches of fresh Rosemary on top. Now I don’t want to cook without it. It also pairs well with lemon. Tell me that doesn’t look succulent!I’ve also been trying out shampoo and conditioner harnessing the power of both Rosemary and Mint. I think this Suave product works really well. I hope you can get a hold of some of this special herb. For more on the uses and cultural significance of Rosemary, read all about it on Wikipedia here. Thanks for visiting the blog. Make sure to read some of our other posts. %^).

Rosemary in Latin translates to “dew of the sea.” It is said to improve memory, and has additional medicinal uses.

Last week I requested a free product sample from Wise Company of their emergency storable food. I only expected one packet with four servings, but I got two entrees on the house. So I scored six servings in all. I will try at least one meal out, and let you know how it tastes. Get your own sample, good for up to 25 years, by visiting this webpage:http://wisefoodstorage.com/request-a-sample/

Update: The Savory Stroganoff was scrumptious. It was 100% vegetarian, but I added Parmesan cheese and black pepper. My sample was made on 10/30/2013, so it was super fresh.

Survivalism is hardcore. Man has to eat. My bro Tactical Gypsy took matters into his own hands, and seized an opportunity yesterday, killing a wild rabbit and cooking it on a beach bonfire in Oregon. He’s on the Paleo diet, and needs lots of protein to stay lean and healthy. He popped the furry friend with his Glock 40 upon first sight. One bullet put it down. Roger never knew what hit him.

Next, Tactical Gypsy had to clean the cottontail rabbit with the knife shown above. He also removed the cute little feet. It took about 45 minutes to smoke on the fire with some PBR baste. It’s a hearty meal for at least two. To cut up wood, the survivalist and former Marine battoned wood into small chunks with the Coast Products FX350. He is proud to rock this knife as part of this every day carry or EDC. It’s held up remarkably well, considering the tremendous beating Survival Bros has put on it. Great work demonstrating your ability to be self-sufficient Tactical Gypsy. Thanks for the story and picture. Survival Bros salutes you.

If you would like to share a story, photo, or idea with Cameron McKirdy at Survival Bros, please email thesurvivalbros@gmail.com. You’re awesome.

OMG! We created a legendary sauce with bacon ends and bits, Hot Jimmy Dean sausage, ground beef, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, Newman’s Own organic tomato sauce, and an egg. I added red pepper flakes, garlic and onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper. It doesn’t get any better. Unless you pick up a loaf of soft, buttery, garlic bread, which we did. There was no room for a salad on my plate. This was an EXTREME dinner. In fact, we made enough for a few extra meals. Thumb up the HD video montage, and please subscribe to Survival Bros on Youtube. Thanks for watching. You’re awesome!

Watch Survival Bros cook up and epic feast! We added only the finest ingredients, including: steak, bison, bacon, beans, corn, tomatoes, three types of peppers (jalapenos, serranos, habanero), onions, brown sugar, and more. Just check out the HD video montage, and try not to drool on my website. This is a survivalist meal all the way. We prepared enough for several suppers, and froze some for later. I hope you guys and gals are eating good. Best wishes.

By Cameron McKirdy
My buddy stopped by today with pockets full of raw mushrooms from the forest in our backyard. He shared his amazing, fresh chanterelles, and chicken of the woods mushrooms. You gotta try these flavorful fungi.

First we cleaned the chanterelles, then dried them. After dicing them up, they went into a pan on low heat. We sautéed them in butter, and a little organic sunflower oil. Next we added minced, fresh garlic. The shrooms were amazing like that.

This was my first taste of chantrelle mushrooms. I was surprised by the rich, spicy flavor. It lingered on the tounge. Very yummy. They are orangish, funnel-shaped, with wavy caps. Chanterelles are known for being rich in vitamin C, D, and potassium too.

Chanterelles are hard to find in the Pacific Northwest. My hommie found a pound of them on his elk bow hunting trip. I’m hooked now. I’m going to find some, and dry them for future meals. I could even sell them to local restaurants. These edible mushrooms are truly a delicacy.

After we lightly cooked the chantrelles we mixed them in turkey chili, with black pepper. It was so good. I savored every bite. It was a five star feast. Thankfully I have friends that share. %^].

Survival Bros is hungry and focused. We promise to bring you quality reviews of the products we actually use. This blog looks at the Jetboil Zip cooking system.

At $74.95 the Jetboil stove is not cheap. It’s nicer than the ones you can get at Big 5, and other smaller sporting goods stores. Survival Bros invested in the Zip because it’s compact, efficient, and light weight. Not including the pot support and fuel stand, it weighs just 12 ounces. The system can be packed up, and self contained. Even a small fuel tank can store inside the cup securely.

It takes just over 2 minutes to boil 16 ounces of water, depending on how cold it is, and how much fuel you have. That means you can prepare freeze dried and dehydrated Mountain House meals at camp in minutes. The 0.8 liter cup is insulated too. These guys thought of it all. The lid strains liquid, and the bottom cup can measure, or be a bowl. Also included is a tripod stand to avoid spilling.

The entire Jetboil Zip cooking system is perfect for weekend backpacking trips into the outdoors. I’ve used it several times to make hot coffee, cook, and boil sketchy water for safety. It’s extremely convenient.

Survival Bros highly recommends this stove for short trips, and light cooking. I’d love to have the bigger size to cook even more hot food. Until then I’m keeping the Zip, and stocking up on Jetboil fuel. I actually bought mine off eBay for about $20 less than retail. It pays to plan ahead, and price around. Have a Jetboil? Tell us what you think of it.